Dickey's BBQ Restaurant - Pulled Pork Sandwich with Waffle Fries

Total Grade: 70%
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Customer Service: 7
Food Quality: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Parking: 7
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Category: American Food, BBQ
Price Range: $ (Less than $10 = Cheap)

In My Opinion:
Dickey’s BBQ Restaurant in San Antonio, TX was an unexpected experience than I could have imagined. I went to Dickey’s BBQ off of 410 and Blanco Rd. in the Park North Shopping Center. Dickey’s BBQ seemed to be a fast food BBQ restaurant. This is not what you’d expect to get from any BBQ place. As you first walk in, you get that fast food feeling instantly from the atmosphere and decor. Even the advertisement posters give you that fast food feeling!

When we got up to the counter, reading the menu and ordering was pretty simple. Also, I already knew what I wanted to order based on the recommendation by DickeysSATX on Twitter, whom has been asking me to come to the restaurant. I said I would, at my own convenience, as I don’t like to announce when I’m visiting places; so we can keep the review honest and unbiased. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with waffle fries and an iced tea. We got the order pretty quick and when I first got my plate I noticed the waffle fries portion was pretty small. My first bite into the sandwich was a little too dry for me. The pulled pork did not seem to have flavor and was unexpectedly not juicy. It was not bad, just not great or lip smackin’. It just wasn’t what I anticipated, from what was told to me.

Overall, the meal was average and if you’re looking for a fast food BBQ place, then Dickey’s is the place for you. However, I’ve got to say that the sweet tea here was really good. I could see myself making a trip here, if in the area, for the sweet tea.

www.dickeys.com

Location Visited:
834 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78216
Tel: (210) 979-7733‎

Google Map:

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Spanky’s Smokehouse and Saloon - Pulled Pork Sandwich

Spanky’s Smokehouse and Saloon - Banana Pudding

Total Grade: 76%
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Customer Service: 7
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Parking: 9
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Category: American Food, BBQ
Price Range: $$ ($10-$20 = Average)

In My Opinion:
Spanky’s Smokehouse and Saloon in San Antonio, TX – I tried Spanky’s Smokehouse after moving the rest of our office to our new location, I decided to drive around for a bit to find a new place to try. I finally saw that Spanky’s Smokehouse off of Blanco Rd., close to 1604 was opened. With their tagline, “The BEST Rack in town!” I just had to stop by and give Spanky’s Smokehouse a try. Wouldn’t you?

When I got seated, I waited almost 10 minutes before I got any service. I was so thirsty and was just about to walk out of there. Finally, Shelby my waitress came, I ordered sweet tea (we are in Texas that’s a must!) and I asked her what was the very best things on the menu. She recommended the cheeseburger but since I was in the mood for BBQ, the Pulled Pork Sandwich was the next best thing. I also got the onion rings with my sandwich. Getting the food was pretty quick, not much of a wait at all.

Wow! My very first bite into the Pulled Pork Sandwich was great! It had such a great smokey flavor. The pork was very tender, juicy, and had the right amount of spices cooked into it. You do not need any additional BBQ sauce, however if you want to they have 3 kinds: Carolina BBQ Sauce (which is like a vinaigrette), Habanero BBQ Sauce (for a little heat and kick), and a traditional sweet BBQ sauce. I felt while the onion rings are large slices and decent amount. There was just way too much breading on them, as you don’t really get to taste much of the onions. This was kind of a disappointment for me. But again the sandwich was great.

I also ordered my one of my favorite desserts in the world, which is Banana Pudding! As I grew up in the country, this was one our our desserts we would always make from scratch. From the sandwich and feel of this place, I was expecting one of the best Banana Pudding I’ve ever had. I was sadly disappointed, the Banana Pudding seemed to be slightly above average. I think they could have put more ripe bananas and vanilla wafers into the pudding to really bring out the banana flavor. When the bananas are turning brown, those are the best for pudding and banana nut bread.

Great thing about this location is they have their own dedicated parking lot, so you’re always bound to find a spot. When you first walk in, this place seems to take you back in time. A time when things were simple. It reminds me of back home where I grew up and Spanky’s Smokehouse has that very small town feel. I’m sure most of you know what I mean, when you’ve gone traveling in Texas and you stop in those small towns. You can get that from the atmosphere and decor around you. I did feel like I was not in San Antonio, TX anymore.

www.spankyssmokehouse.com

Location Visited:
16505 Blanco Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78232
Tel: (210) 479-7200

Google Map:

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In My Opinion By Christi Brogan:
Bar D BBQ in Boerne, TX – Bar D BBQ is the newest restaurant to open its doors in the Boerne area. Located in a “log cabin” style building previously occupied by another BBQ joint (the Back Porch), it sits across from Billy’s Western Wear near the Wal-Mart in town. We were pleasantly surprised to find they had opened their doors this week, after overhearing wait staff at another local eatery discussing the new BBQ place that was “coming soon”.

Bar D is a “Rudy’s style” BBQ place from the perspective of having to order at the counter and picking up your food to take to your table. Their food is served on butcher paper, with sides in Styrofoam cups and condiments on the bar, which also mimics Rudy’s. However, Bar D has in-door dining in a well lit and air conditioned dining room.

Upon entering the restaurant you are directed to the ordering counter where you can choose from several “plates” such as 1 meat and 2 sides, 2 meats and 2 sides, etc., along with other items like sandwiches. My husband and I each chose the two meats and two side’s plate, priced at $10.99 each. They also had a few nice looking desserts, which we may try in the future. I chose brisket and sausage, plus creamed corn and “pea salad”, for my plate, while my husband chose brisket and turkey with green bean casserole and pea salad.

After ordering and paying, you receive your drink cups (if drinking tea) and take a seat while you wait for your name to be called. We have an 8 month old, so my husband found us a table on the “porch” section of the restaurant which looks out onto their nice backyard. When under previous ownership, we often saw Axis deer roaming the yard, but not that evening, hopefully in the future. While hubby began feeding the little one (with food brought from home), I got our tea and plastic wear. Rolls of paper towels and salt and pepper, are conveniently placed on each table. However, condiments like jalapeños, onions, BBQ sauce and bread slices (wrapped in 2 slice packs) are located on the bar.

We waited just a short time (approximately 10 min.) for our order to be called and were pleased that one of the wait staff kindly brought it to the table for us, since we had the little one. Overall, I was pleased with my “plate”, although to call it a “plate” isn’t truly accurate. No plates are actually provided at this restaurant, instead food is served on butcher paper, along with your sides in Styrofoam coffee cups. Portions were large, so we decided that on a future visit we would probably choose to split a plate, rather than order separately.

The brisket was tender and had a nice bark to it. I am “fat squeamish” and therefore don’t like overly fatty brisket, but this meat had a nice thin layer, which contributed to its moistness, I’m sure. It was only slightly dry, but not excessively, which didn’t call for BBQ sauce, although it was tasty with it, as well. The sausage is one of the best I’ve had locally. Not overly “compact” as many are, but well seasoned. I was given two links as part of my plate, which was twice what I could eat, so hubby was able to try it, too. The creamed corn was good, obviously homemade and not “from the can”, unlike many restaurants do these days. My only complaint was the “pea salad”, which used canned peas with apples and cheese. If they had only chosen to use frozen peas instead of canned, I think it would have been a decent salad, but canned peas gave it that “tinny” taste that just ruined the whole thing for me! Hubby enjoyed his brisket and turkey (which I tasted and liked a lot), but they mistakenly gave him pinto beans instead of his green bean casserole. He chose not to complain and said the pintos were pretty good.

Overall, this is probably one of the better BBQ places in the area and I would prefer it to Rudy’s, which is often overly smoked for my taste. However, I must admit that I am no BBQ expert, so I invite all of you how are to come and give it a try. We will definitely be visiting again and wish much success to the new owners!

Location Visited:
1481 S. Main St.,
Boerne, TX 78130
Tel: (830) 643-0008

Google Map:

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Two Bros BBQ Market - Two Bros Order

Total Grade: 80%
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Customer Service: 8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Parking: 8
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Category: American Food, BBQ
Price Range: $$ ($10-$20 = Average)

In My Opinion By Sandra Faulk:
Two Bros. BBQ Market in San Antonio, TX – The Dady brothers latest venture has put all the variables of a successful Texas BBQ restaurant in place. Two Bros. BBQ Market, located at 12656 West Avenue, across the street from Walker Ranch Park, opened just a few weeks ago, in a great old spot with indoor booths and picnic tables, country music playing, and an enormous “back 40″ patio/pit area, with bandstand, HUGE playground and sandbox, and outdoor tables aplenty.

On our first venture, hubby and I took Mom and tried the “2 Bros.” – meant to feed 2 people: 1/2 lb. brisket, 1/2 lb. pulled pork, 1 link sausage, 2 chicken thighs, and 2 pints of sides. Barbecue was the perfect harmony of smoky & juicy. Pinto beans are a real highlight here, Jason Dady has a surprise secret ingredient that just makes them special! Cole Slaw was not a hit with our family – vinegar kind, and very rough cut, but on subsequent trips we’ve tried the macaroni/cheese, potato salad, and creamed corn – all excellent, if not surprising. Lots of fresh white bread, and more food than the three of us could eat – took enough home for 2 of us to have lunch later.

Good beer and wine selection (I think; we’re teatotallers), sweeet & unsweet tea, a great lemonade, and soda bar. Fixin’s bar has all the fresh onions, jalapeno, dill gherkins, and homemade dill pickle chunks (ridiculously good); as well as three kinds of homemade BBQ sauce. One of the sauces, or maybe all, will suit you well.

Great hospitality – we were offered enormous “samples” of their fresh chocolate fudge (wow!), and purchased a pair of hot fried-fresh-for-us strawberry pies for the 3 of us. All in all, one of the finest BBQ meals in Bexar or Comal county, at an incredible value for both the quality AND quantity.

We’ve been back recently to see Two Bros. BBQ Market run out of food far before closing, they’re adjusting to a fast learning curve. Spring and summer’s great weather should bring the people flocking – you can smell the great smoky fragrance for about a quarter-mile.

www.twobrosbbqmarket.com

Location Visited:
12656 West Ave.
San Antonio, Texas 78216
Tel: (210) 496-0222

Google Map:

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